It seems you all have problem with the story of the PT, which to me is good (could have been better though). It's just the way of telling it that kinda sucks (and the bad casting, VaderisnotAnakin... indeed!). In other words: good story, bad script.

Zero emotion "killed" the PT to me, not the story.

But I agree on your point about Lucas not being the one and only person behind the first trilogy (the creative team behind the first movie was indeed a combination of great talents).

But you know, even the mighty Irvin Kershner did Robocop 2... I think it was not a bad idea to take new blood to make the PT (even rock bands do that! ;) look Deep Purple, they could go on for ever changing members each ten years. lol). It's just ended poorly on screen.